What Do Women Who've Had Abortions Think About Those Planned Parenthood Videos?

Once again, Planned Parenthood has been targeted by an anti-choice group. This time their attackers are using undercover stinglike (and heavily edited) videos to show what happens after an abortion as staffers make business decisions about how the tissue samples are collected, stored, delivered to researchers—and paid for. The whole thing has made even some of the pro-choice advocates feel a bit squeamish.

But amid all the raging controversy and political posturing (conservative politicians have called for defunding Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that the organization provides basic health care services for nearly 3 million women a year), the voices of actual patients are getting lost.

How do women who have had abortions feel about donating fetal tissue to medical research? I reached out to eight of them—ages 22 to 69—to get their personal thoughts. They all told me they supported this research. Those who didn't donate said they would have done so, had it been an offered. Those who did donate said that knowing they were helping others made them feel much better. Here are their words:

"[When they asked me if I wanted to donate] I thought right away it was a good idea. My dad always donated blood. My sister is a biologist. I didn't really think twice. It helped me process the sense of loss and grieving to know that at least something good was coming out of it." —36-year-old artist, Arizona

"I have always felt like stem cell research and using fetal tissue from abortion or miscarriage has been necessary. It's disappointing to see [the issue] brought up in this way. I wasn't given the option of what to do with my fetal tissue. Had I had the option, I would have loved to donate." —22-year-old college student, California

"It's clear that [these videos are] an attack aimed on Planned Parenthood—and to make sure that folks who are the most vulnerable don't have access to basic health care. If I'd had the option to donate I would have. [Pro-life activists] are trying to invalidate the decisions of women who have an abortion and who choose to donate the tissue to give back to science. People donate tissue all the time. They do it with umbilical cords. I think shaming people for making that decision is really horrible." *—29-year-old writer, Washington, D.C. *

"They asked and I said, yeah. Why not if you're going to use it for science? I honestly felt fine with it. I think it's ridiculous that people will do anything to try to shut Planned Parenthood down. When I went there, I felt really, really respected." —25-year-old waitress, Idaho

"I don't actually remember whether I was asked about donating. But the controversy over Planned Parenthood aside, I am supportive of using fetal tissue from an abortion to advance science. It can save lives. Why throw that opportunity away? The ethical question is whether or not the women are asked if they want to participate. As long as it's a transparent process, I don't have an issue with it." —27-year-old financial analyst, Washington, D.C.

"If something good could have come out of my abortion in the way of scientific understanding, I would have been more than happy [to donate]. People are upset about abortion and anything to do with it. But any good outcome from a sad situation, any help for humanity, would be welcome in my view." *—69-year-old retired Episcopalian priest, who had an abortion more than 30 years ago

"I would rather [the fetal tissue] be made useful. It's akin to organ donation. So why not? To me, the issue comes down to consent." —41-year-old college teacher, North Carolina

"When I wanted to have a kid and had a miscarriage and tissue donation was an option, that was a no-brainer. And I'm pretty sure I did it when I had my abortion. I can see how people would feel weird about it, but it's a women's decision." —43-year-old public affairs consultant, ColoradoAs a reporter on health issues for 20 years, I always think that in heated moments like these, women who have been there are our best guides. And what these eight say is that they hope women get to make these decisions, not politicians or legislators or surreptitious advocacy groups.